]]>Sunday 4th March at 12 midday. Temple Street is pleased to announce that all outpatient appointments and scheduled procedures and surgeries will go ahead tomorrow as planned so please attend at the time advised on your appointment letter.

We would also appreciate if you do not call our main Switch line to check on same as that line is continuing to deal with other more urgent weather event related and in-patient calls. For more information please feel free to ring the relevant department from Monday 5th March.

For further information please contact relevant Departments. Please see contact numbers on

]]>The new children’s hospital – Delivering economic benefits for the local communityhttps://www.cuh.ie/2018/02/new-childrens-hospital-delivering-economic-benefits-local-community/
Fri, 23 Feb 2018 11:10:48 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9665Pioneering Community Benefit Clauses creating jobs for local people and contracts for local businesses 4 ‘new entrants*’ (10% of the workforce) employed full-time during enabling works, for 147 work weeks 270 ‘person years**’ of employment (14,000 work weeks) to be […]

]]>Pioneering Community Benefit Clauses creating jobs for local people and contracts for local businesses

4 ‘new entrants*’ (10% of the workforce) employed full-time during enabling works, for 147 work weeks

270 ‘person years**’ of employment (14,000 work weeks) to be delivered by ‘new entrants’ over the remainder of the construction.

33% of contracts in enabling works awarded to companies in Dublin 8 and 12, and 92% from the wider Dublin area.

For immediate release, February 22, 2018: Community Benefit Programme Manager with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, Ingrid McElroy, yesterday provided Dublin City Councillors with an update on the programme of activity that is underway to maximise the benefit to the local community from the new children’s hospital being developed in their area.

In 2015, an independent report commissioned by the project’s Community Benefits Oversight Group*** called ‘Harnessing the Potential’ identified a wide range of areas in which the local community will benefit from the project and set out a series of recommendations to ensure that they were realised and maximised.

The resulting pioneering community benefit programme is focused on four pillars – maximising local employment and training opportunities, supporting local businesses and enterprises, improving community health and wellbeing, and raising aspirations through educational outreach initiatives.

The inclusion of an innovative Community Benefit Clauses in all project-related construction contracts with employment targets for long term unemployed and new entrants is ensuring that local people are benefiting directly from employment opportunities. During the initial yearlong enabling works, where the community benefit clause was piloted 4 new entrants – representing 10% of the construction workforce – have been employed in roles such as engineer’s assistants, site administrators and general operatives (for a total of 147 work weeks) and continue to work on the project. An additional 14 people from Dublin 8 and 12 were also employed for 300 work weeks.

During the 4-year main construction works, it is planned that up to 14,000 work weeks (or 270 person-years of employment) will delivered by new entrants.

A key element in the strategy is the active connection to the local employment and training bodies. The NPHDB is engaging on an ongoing basis with the CDETB Colleges of Further Education and training agencies to maximise potential work experience placements and to investigate how training provision can be refined to match employer needs. A Recruitment Pathway has also been devised and agreed with Intreo on Cork Street and Local Employment Services (LES) Dublin 12/8 where all vacancies including with subcontractors are advertised

The construction contractor, BAM, is also currently recruiting a dedicated Community Benefit Coordinator to manage the recruitment, training and mentoring of new entrants and apprentices, as well as students and work experience placements amongst all the contractors and sub-contractors during the main construction phase.

Together, the NPHDB is working with BAM to deliver the maximum benefit to local business and social enterprises and a number of ‘Meet the Buyer’ events have been held in the last two years to educate businesses about upcoming opportunities to facilitate them tendering for work. As part of the enabling phase, BAM sourced 33% of contracts from companies based in Dublin 8 and 12, and 92% from the wider Dublin area. In the last two years contracts totalling €500,000 have been awarded to local businesses by the NPHDB and BAM.

As well as providing employment and business opportunities in the short-term, initiatives are ongoing to raise aspirations through education, encouraging children to consider careers that will be provided by the hospital both during the construction and operational phase. The second annual careers day looking at the jobs in design, engineering, and construction will take place during Engineers Week on February 27th. Staff of the NPHDB delivered a 6-week “Engineering in a Box” programme in local schools in 2017, bringing the profession to life in the school setting. An innovative health science programme is also currently being developed which, while focused on health science and health education, is designed to encourage an interest in healthcare related careers.

Gordon Jeyes, Independent Chairman of the Community Benefits Oversight Group said; “The new children’s hospital is the largest capital investment in healthcare in the history of the State. Through the construction phase and into the operational phase, a hospital of this nature brings enormous activity – economically and socially – to the community and the focus of our group is to ensure that local people and businesses benefits from this as much as possible.”

Ingrid McElroy, Community Benefit Programme Manager with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board said; “The new children’s hospital is for Ireland’s children and young people, a quarter of our population. But it is also more than that, it will be one of the largest employers in the area – employing 3,700 people when it’s operational in 2022 – and it is our clear ambition that local people will benefit from this activity as much as possible, whether that is by direct employment, the spin-off generated economic activity, or the increased focus on health and wellbeing in the local community. Working with educational, training, employment and community partners in the area, we are creating pathways and raising awareness within the community about the opportunities that the new children’s hospital will provide.”

Theo Cullinane, CEO of BAM said: “We are delighted to be working with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board on the new children’s hospital. This is a landmark project for Ireland – currently the biggest building under construction in the country – and we are committed to working with the NPHDB to ensure that the local community benefits from our development. We are currently recruiting a full-time community benefit co-ordinator who will be responsible for ensuring that the works continue to provide opportunities for unemployed people, young people and those new to the construction industry, as well as to nearby businesses, as we are committed to fulfilling our community obligations.”

Ross Burns (21) from Inchicore has been working on the site of the new children’s hospital for the last 12 months as an Engineers’ Assistant, gaining invaluable experience across all areas of construction. “Working on the new children’s hospital is fantastic experience, every day is different and I’m learning so much. I’ve been sent on loads of different training courses too. I studied architecture for a couple of years, but I found it hard to get work in the area, so I ended up working in a shop across the road from the site. I got chatting to the construction workers when they came into the shop and then this opportunity came up and it’s been life changing. When I finish working here I plan to go back to college to study civil engineering and to pursue a career in construction.”

]]>‘Rights in their Eyes’ art exhibition in Temple Street on RTE News2Dayhttps://www.cuh.ie/2018/02/rights-eyes-art-exhibition-temple-street-rte-news2day/
Thu, 22 Feb 2018 14:02:54 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9661‘Rights in their Eyes’ art exhibition in Temple Street on RTE News2Day. OCO ‘Rights in their Eyes’ art exhibition on Temple Street’s Link Corridor for two months from 2nd Feb. Celebrating 25 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of […]

]]>OCO ‘Rights in their Eyes’ art exhibitionhttps://www.cuh.ie/2018/02/oco-rights-eyes-art-exhibition/
Fri, 02 Feb 2018 12:38:51 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9539OCO ‘Rights in their Eyes’ art exhibition on Temple Street’s Link Corridor for two months from 2nd Feb Celebrating 25 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Ireland, 1992 – 2017 The OCO (Ombudsman […]

]]>OCO ‘Rights in their Eyes’ art exhibition on Temple Street’s Link Corridor for two months from 2nd Feb

Celebrating 25 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Ireland, 1992 – 2017

The OCO (Ombudsman for Children) is undertaking a series of unique and innovative projects as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of Ireland’s Ratification of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.

The aims for the year-long programme, broadly speaking, are to raise awareness and understanding of children’s rights by re-visiting the promise we made to children upon ratifying the UNCRC in 1992 and renewing the promise we made to them.

Children and young people are the focus of our work and this year we wanted to invite them to be part of our team planning the year. We decided to offer these exceptional young artists their first art commission to create a new piece of work which expresses their views on what it is like to be a child or young adult growing up in Ireland today. Their work are symbols of the 25th Anniversary and an important part of our celebrations.

Rights in their Eyes is therefore an exhibition of work featuring the Texaco Children’s Art Competition 2017 winners supported by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office and Temple Street is facilitating this exhibition from Friday 2nd March to Friday 30th March 2018.

Come and view the Rights in their Eyes exhibition on Temple Street’s Link Corridor (leading from main hospital corridor to ED and OPD)

]]>Temple Street unveils new €5.5million outpatients’ unithttps://www.cuh.ie/2018/01/temple-street-unveils-new-e5-5million-outpatients-unit/
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 15:26:40 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9463All Renal and Neurology OPD appointments will now take place in the new OPD (entrance to right of existing OPD). Old units in hospital now closed. Temple Street Ambassador Brian O’Driscoll opens new Neurology and Renal Outpatients’ Unit, funded entirely through […]

Temple Street Ambassador and rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll officially opened the newly-constructed Neurology & Renal Outpatients’ Unit in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital today. The launch marks the completion of Temple Street Foundation’s most ambitious fundraising project in its history – with a total of €5.5million raised to build, fit-out and equip the new unit, which opens to patients this week.

The two-floor unit will cater to over 6,500 renal and neurology patients who attend Temple Street for treatment each year and features additional clinical facilities with spacious waiting rooms and patient play areas. Each floor is 400 square metres in size and will accommodate multi-disciplinary teams for both specialities. The new unit replaces existing outdated departments, which have limited space and are no longer fit for purpose.

Speaking about the construction of the new outpatients’ unit at the official opening, Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Temple Street Foundation said, “Raising the funds for this new facility was the most ambitious challenge that we have ever set ourselves in Temple Street Foundation, but we were overwhelmed with the kindness and support we received from people all over Ireland who care deeply about the welfare of our children and who wanted to help bring positive change to our hospital.

These supporters, along with Temple Street’s medical teams and staff, make up an extraordinary circle of care that surrounds each patient who comes here and ensures that they and their families receive world-class care and access to the best possible facilities. Thanks to their commitment to Temple Street, our neurology and renal patients will have access to these wonderful facilities, which will simply transform their hospital experience.”

She added, “For those of us who haven’t experienced it first hand, it’s hard to comprehend the challenges faced by the children and families who attend these units. It is our belief that every sick child and their family deserves our complete emotional, physical and psychological support. And this new unit will deliver that much-needed holistic and family-focused care.”

Also speaking at the official opening, Temple Street Ambassador Brian O’Driscoll said, “I’ve been a Temple Street Ambassador for over ten years now, and in that time, I have seen tremendous change across the hospital thanks to people’s generosity. Temple Street isn’t just a building. It is a community that is like no other – made up of a close team of caring medical staff and loving families who all work with one goal in mind – to make sick children better.

I’m honoured to be a part of that community and am thrilled to have been invited today to celebrate this latest development for Temple Street – the opening of this beautiful unit. It was really rewarding to take a tour of the new unit this morning – it’s a breath of fresh air for families and I’d like to thank each and everyone who helped to make it a reality.”

Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. The Neurology Department at the Temple Street Children’s University Hospital is a referral centre for children with neurological problems from all over the country with neurological disorders including epilepsy, stroke and brain tumours. Temple Street’s neurology team is to provide a high standard of nursing and medical care in assessing investigating, diagnosing and treating children with neurological disorders.

The New Neurology Unit includes:

400 square metre footprint

A larger waiting room with play area

Dedicated treatment rooms

A parents’ room

Three new Neurophysiological Sleep Testing Rooms with adjoining monitoring. (Located away from the main patient waiting/treatment areas and with better acoustics, these will enable more efficient tests to be conducted)

Two wheelchair accessible toilets

Four consultants’ rooms

A nurses’ room

A technician’s office

EEG rooms

Renal Department

The national renal transplant unit is based at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and conducts kidney transplants on children from all over the country under 16 years of age. Temple Street is also the national paediatric haemodialysis centre where children attend for dialysis three times a week from all over the country for periods from six months to five years whilst waiting for a kidney. Each time they attend the hospital they spend three hours on a machine losing precious days of family, home and school life.

The New Renal Unit includes:

400 square metre footprint

A new larger waiting room with play area

A state of the art treatment room for transplant patients

Five Hemodialysis stations

A specialised Urodynamics facility

Provision for psychologists and dieticians to be housed on this single floor, providing a completely holistic treatment for patients

Temple Street Foundation

Every sick child in Temple Street is surrounded by an extraordinary and unbreakable circle of care. The dedication of our world class medical staff, the devotion of our families and the constant generosity of our supporters form an unbreakable chain of support for every child. Temple Street Foundation’s aim is to help sick children by making their stay in hospital less distressing for them and their families, by funding the purchase of medical equipment, developing new services, funding research and developing new treatment facilities.

]]>HSE launches www.medicalcard.iehttps://www.cuh.ie/2018/01/hse-launches-www-medicalcard-ie/
Mon, 15 Jan 2018 11:03:53 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9401A safe, quick and easy online service to apply for a Medical Card. Find out straight away if you’re eligible. Completed applications will be processed in 15 working days. Almost 440,000 applications were received by the National Medical Card Unit in 2017 Today, […]

]]>A safe, quick and easy online service to apply for a Medical Card. Find out straight away if you’re eligible. Completed applications will be processed in 15 working days. Almost 440,000 applications were received by the National Medical Card Unit in 2017

Today, 15th January 2018, the HSE launches its new National Medical Card Online service, www.medicalcard.ie. This new service enables people for the first time to apply online for a Medical Card quickly and easily using our step by step guide.

Almost 440,000 applications were received by the National Medical Card Unit in 2017, so this new, streamlined service will bring great benefits for people in terms of turnaround times, convenience and security.

Users can find out if they are eligible for a Medical Card immediately, and if they are, their application will be processed in 15 working days. This online service conveniently allows applicants to scan and upload documents and other information, and no longer requires a visit to a GP to stamp paper forms.

Five year old Ella Treacy from Dublin was at the launch to help Minister for Health, Mr Simon Harris TD, Assistant National Director of HSE Primary Care Reimbursement and Eligibility, Anne Marie Hoey, and Director General of the HSE, Tony O’Brien, to launch the new service.

“This is a very welcome new development by the HSE and is part of the ongoing streamlining and modernisation of the operation of the medical card scheme. Under the new system people will be able to make an online application for a medical card, which is faster and more convenient than the current paper based system. This puts the applicant at the centre of the process and I am sure will, in time, become the preferred method of application for many applicants, both first time and those seeking a renewal. I would urge anyone who needs to apply for a medical card to log on to the new system and see how easy it is.”

“I am delighted to announce that people aged 16 years and older will be able to apply or renew their Medical Card eligibility using our new online service using their computer, tablet or mobile phone.

The launch of the National Medical Card Online service makes it as easy as possible for people to apply for Medical Card eligibility. This great new development brings considerable benefits for people in terms of turnaround times, convenience and security. Applications that are fully completed will be processed within fifteen working days.”

Benefits of new National Medical Card Online service:

Our online system guides you through each step of the application process.

Applicants can submit all supporting documentation digitally, including photographs of relevant material.

Your GP will be able to accept you onto their panel via the online system.

If we need to contact you about your application, we can email instead of writing to you.

When you have submitted your financial details as part of the online application, we will tell you straight away if you qualify for a medical card.

Complete application will be processed in 15 working days.

Full details about the National Medical Card Online service are available at www.medicalcard.ie

]]>Advice from the HSE about GP Out of Hours Services over Holidays and Attending Emergency Departments this Winterhttps://www.cuh.ie/2017/12/advice-hse-gp-hours-services-holidays-attending-emergency-departments-winter/
Wed, 20 Dec 2017 15:55:21 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9299With the Christmas and New Year holidays almost upon us it’s always best to be prepared. This year, the HSE in partnership with GP Out of Hours Services, are asking people to prepare ahead for a healthy and happy Christmas […]

]]>With the Christmas and New Year holidays almost upon us it’s always best to be prepared. This year, the HSE in partnership with GP Out of Hours Services, are asking people to prepare ahead for a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.

Plan ahead this Christmas – Advice from the HSE about GP Out of Hours Services

With the Christmas and New Year holidays almost upon us it’s always best to be prepared. This year, the HSE in partnership with GP Out of Hours Services, are asking people to prepare ahead for a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.

To avoid interruptions to the festivities, it’s important for people to plan in advance for any anticipated medical needs over the holiday period such as prescription renewals. There are lots of things to think about at this time of year and medication needs can often get overlooked. The HSE is reminding patients to reflect on what is needed and to make the necessary arrangements with your GP practice and pharmacist and not to leave it to the last minute.

Brian Murphy, Head of Planning, HSE Primary Care Division says: “We want to remind people to be prepared this Christmas by renewing prescriptions early and to book GP appointments for routine visits during normal clinic hours. As the Christmas holidays are the busiest times for the GP Out of Hours Services, we are asking people to reserve this service for people with urgent medical problems only.

As part of the 2017 Christmas period campaign, posters with up to date Christmas and New Year opening hours for each of the GP Out of Hours Services will be displayed locally. Our social media campaign is also helping to prompt people to prepare ahead of the holidays and to reserve the GP Out of Hours Services for those with urgent medical conditions.

We have also set up a ‘Stay Well this Christmas’ webpage on the HSE site at www.hse.ie/winter to provide information and advice on keeping well over the holiday period.

I would urge everyone to take the time to prepare in advance, to use the GP Out of Hours Services for urgent medical problems only, and to take measures to stay well this Christmas and New Year; I wish everyone a healthy and safe Christmas and New Year.”

Easy Ways to Plan Ahead this Christmas

Book an appointment at your own GP surgery for routine matters – as most GP surgeries will be closed on 23rd December, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

If you have a medical condition that requires medication, ensure you order sufficient supplies to cover the whole holiday and any trips away you have planned.

Stock up on home medicine cabinet essentials at your local pharmacy; painkillers- including painkillers for kids, indigestion remedies, cough and cold medicines, plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream, thermometer, contraceptives and a minor injury first aid kit are all sensible items to have to hand.

For common ailments like coughs, colds and sore throats, you’ll find straightforward advice on www.undertheweather.ie

GP Out of Hours Service

The GP Out of Hours service is available outside the routine GP surgery times over the holidays including the bank holidays and weekends. This service is for patients who have urgent medical problems that cannot wait until their own GP practice re-opens. We would encourage people to visit www.hse.ie/winter where they can find:

The www.undertheweather.ie website was developed by the HSE in partnership with GPs and pharmacists. It gives sensible, practical information on a range of common illnesses like colds, flu, earaches, sore throats and tummy bugs. The information is provided for adults and children and tells you how long an illness should last, what to expect, and what you can do to cope with, and recover from, these illnesses. The site includes a series of videos featuring GPs and Pharmacists who offer their expertise on dealing with these common illnesses, practical remedies, and advice on when to seek help from either a pharmacist or a doctor.

Advice for Patients Attending Emergency Departments this Winter

Just like in previous years, our Emergency Departments (EDs) expect to see more patients attending this winter. Many of these patients will have complicated illnesses and complex care-needs. This means that the number of patients who need to be admitted to hospital for treatment and care will increase. While this is likely to increase the waiting times in EDs, we can reassure the public that all patients attending an ED will be seen and, as always, the sickest patients and those requiring urgent treatment and care will be prioritised and seen first.

Flu-like illness and other respiratory infections are very common at this time of year. Most are caused by viruses and these illnesses have a greater impact on older people; those who have underlying illnesses such as COPD, diabetes and heart disease or those with compromised immune systems. It is much harder for them to cope with the complications of these illnesses. Many will need GP care and some may be referred into our hospitals for specialist treatment and care.

As we prioritise treatment and care for the sickest patients and those with life threatening illnesses, it means that patients with less serious illnesses and conditions may need to wait longer for their treatment. That is why we are asking people to think about all of their care and treatment options so we can keep our ED services for the patients who need them most. For example, many patients with limb injuries can go to an Injury Unit and others with illnesses needing less urgent treatment can be seen and treated by their GP or referred by their GP to an Assessment Unit the following day. On the other hand if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried that your life is at risk, you can be assured that our EDs are open 24/7, 365 days of the year and will assess and treat you as a priority.

EDs are very busy places. If you or a family member or friend needs to go to the ED for treatment there are some things you can do to help us to help take care of you in the ED.

Remember to bring your GPs name and address along with any referral letter they may have given you for the ED.

It is particularly important that you bring any medications you are taking, as well as a list of any allergies or current medical conditions you might have, as this will help the doctors and nurses to better assess your condition and the treatment you have had to date. It may also shorten your waiting time as staff will know the medications you are taking and will not need to wait to hear back from your GP or pharmacist. Obviously, you may also need to take your medication while you are in the hospital.

Bring any hearing aids and glasses you need and if you have difficulties speaking or with language, please bring someone with you who can help us communicate with you. We can arrange an interpreter if needs be but this will take time to arrange.

Keeping our hands clean reduces the spread of infection. So by keeping your hands clean when you come to or are in the ED, you can help protect us all from infection. Infection control is really important throughout the whole hospital and, unfortunately, infection outbreaks mean greater risks to our patients, especially those more vulnerable to infection. It may also mean that we have to close hospital wards and beds until they are thoroughly deep cleaned to stop the spread of infection. This can take a lot of time depending on the type of bacteria and unfortunately reduces the number of beds available for patients coming in for care. This in turn means longer waiting times before patients can be admitted to hospital.

About 15 out of 20 people attending the ED go home after having tests or treatment in the ED. Part of our job is to make sure we answer your questions and give you clear information while you are in our care. Before you leave, please ask yourself if you understand your condition and the treatment you have been given, whether you know the next steps or know what to look out for. If you have a follow up appointment, do you know the details?

Our staff in the Emergency Department work really hard to make sure our patients receive the best treatment and care. If for any reason you are worried or concerned while you are in the ED please ask our staff for help and advice and help us to help you.

]]>Congratulations to Dairin Hines & the Temple Street ICT Team highly commended at the Irish Healthcare Awardshttps://www.cuh.ie/2017/12/congratulations-dairin-hines-temple-street-ict-team-highly-commended-irish-healthcare-awards/
Wed, 20 Dec 2017 11:18:52 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9293Congratulations to Dairin Hines, Head of ICT and IG Lead, Temple Street and the Temple Street ICT Team who were highly commended at the recent Irish Healthcare Awards (@HealthAwardsIrl) in the ‘Best Use of Information Technology’ category for their project […]

]]>Congratulations to Dairin Hines, Head of ICT and IG Lead, Temple Street and the Temple Street ICT Team who were highly commended at the recent Irish Healthcare Awards (@HealthAwardsIrl) in the ‘Best Use of Information Technology’ category for their project ‘Kick starting a paperless revolution in the Republic of Ireland’ conducted in partnership with Orion Health.

]]>A heartfelt thanks to the O’Sullivan Familyhttps://www.cuh.ie/2017/12/heartfelt-thanks-osullivan-family/
Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:20:44 +0000https://www.cuh.ie/?p=9282A heartfelt thanks to the O’Sullivan Family and especially their son Jamie for their gigantic efforts in raising over €15k for Temple Street which has been used to purchase a MOTOMed Machine (a motorised movement therapy device) and other equipment […]

]]>A heartfelt thanks to the O’Sullivan Family and especially their son Jamie for their gigantic efforts in raising over €15k for Temple Street which has been used to purchase a MOTOMed Machine (a motorised movement therapy device) and other equipment for use by the Physiotherapy Team. The generous donation has also been used to renovate the bathroom in St Gabriel’s Award (the neurosurgical ward) at Temple Street.

Sincere thanks also to St Cocas Athletic Club in Kilcock, Co Kildare for their help in the fundraising efforts in partnership with the O’Sullivan family, especially to the organisers of the ‘Run with Jamie.’